PREVIEW: PALACE V CARDIFF CITY

A comprehensive look at the Bluebirds' trip to Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Venue: Selhurst Park
Date: Saturday, 7th December, KO 3pm
Nav it: SE25 6PU
Match-tag:#CRYCAR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
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The Bluebirds take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park for a second away trip in a week.

MATCH FACTS

- Crystal Palace’s three Premier League wins this season have all come under different managers.
- This will be the first time Crystal Palace and Cardiff City have met in the top flight of English football.
- The last three league meetings between Cardiff and Palace have seen the team who opened the scoring go on to lose the game.
- Cardiff have won four and lost just two of their last seven league visits to Selhurst Park, but Palace have won two of the last three in south London.
- The south Londoners have taken seven points from their last four matches, two more than Manchester United (5).
- Cardiff have conceded fewer fouls than any other Premier League team this season (123), while Palace have a joint-low 15 yellow cards.

KEY PLAYER: Mile Jedinak



Palace captain Mile Jedinak has proved influential in the Eagles’ midfield once again this campaign, form which saw new manager Tony Pulis hand the Australian International a new three-and-a-half-year deal in his first few days in charge. Jedinak opened the scoring against the Bluebirds in the last meeting between the two sides.

IN-FORM PLAYER:  Marouane Chamakh



The former Arsenal frontman has scored two goals in his three shots on target in the Premier League so far this season. Enjoying regular first-team football in London once again, Chamakh’s goal against West Ham in midweek secured a vital three points for the Eagles.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Cardiff City: LDWDLD
Last time out: Stoke City 0-0 Cardiff City – Wednesday, 4th December, Barclays Premier League.

The Bluebirds’ claimed another vital Barclays Premier League point with a resilient display at the Britannia Stadium. Jordon Mutch saw his first-half header denied by Asmir Begovic before the Bosnian International denied Declan John deep into stoppage time.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Caulker (C), Turner, Whittingham, Medel, Campbell (Odemwingie 77), Gunnarsson, Mutch, Cowie, Theophile-Catherine, John. Subs not used: Lewis; Connolly, Hudson, Cornelius, Kim, Noone.

Crystal Palace:  LLDWLW
Last time out: Crystal Palace 1-0 West Ham United – Tuesday, 3rd December, Barclays Premier League.

Tony Pulis’ first home game as manager of the Eagles proved to be fruitful as Palace claimed a second win in three games thanks to Marouane Chamakh’s first half header.

Team – Crystal Palace: Speroni, Gabbidon, Moxey, Ward, Delaney, Puncheon (Kebe, 66), Dikgacoi, Bannan (O'Keefe, 82), Jedinak, Chamakh (Williams, 85), Jerome.Subs not used: Phillips, Price, Gayle, Mariappa.    

BETTING

Bet with our official online betting partners SkyBet and back your club! www.skybet.com/cardiff

Crystal Palace: 8/5
Draw: 9/4
Cardiff City: 17/10

Match Special: Jordon Mutch to score first in a 2-1 win for the Bluebirds brings odds of 85/1! Place a £10 bet and win £850!

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:

2012/13: Saturday, 26th December 2012, Championship - Cardiff City 2-1 Crystal Palace



Goals from Craig Noone and Aron Gunnarsson saw the Bluebirds’ overturn an early Mile Jedinak strike to secure a Boxing Day victory over the Eagles at Cardiff City Stadium.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Taylor, McNaughton, Turner, Hudson, Whittingham, Conway, Mutch (Gunnarsson, 46), Noone (Mason, 76), Bellamy, Helguson (Gestede, 57). Subs not used: Lewis; Lappin, Cowie, Kim.    
         
REFEREE: Mike Jones

Mike Jones plied his trade as a Football League referee for 11 years before he was added to the Select Group in 2008 and began officiating in the Premier League.

Jones, who made his refereeing debut in August 1997 when Mansfield Town played host to Hull City, regularly officiated in the Football League during his tenure.

The last time Jones officiated a Cardiff City encounter was the Bluebirds’ 0-0 draw with Norwich City in October.

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